Defending champions and early title favourites, Manchester City have a nicely spread fixture list, but that could easily change when UEFA announces the Champions League groups on August 30. While Manchester United, their chief rivals, has a fixture list severely complicated by the Champions League draw before it even happens.

The Red Devils also face two tricky periods where they face both Arsenal and Chelsea back to back. Once in November and then again at the end of April, just three weeks after they face Manchester City, in what already looks to be a title-decider.

Liverpool FC, in a period of rebuilding, face what looks on paper to be the toughest opening fixture list. They play ex-first team assistant manager Steve Clarke and West Brom in Game 1 before facing Sunderland, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in what should be a baptism of fire for new coach Brendan Rodgers.

Along with Roberto Mancini, Arsene Wenger will be quite happy with the way the computer has generated Arsenal's fixtures. They have one real bad patch in January where the games come hot and heavy, but on either side of that they have a set-up that could guarantee Champions League football again in 2013-14.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur make up the running as far as potential champions are concerned. The Blues have a really tough list before Christmas, where they face Manchester City, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester City over an eight-week period that will push Roberto Di Matteo to his limits.

The managerless Spurs have a decent run of fixtures, but the proof of the pudding will be how the North London side deal with the big teams in the Premier League. This will, once again, decide their fate regardless of who takes over.

With each of the runners and riders named, here we look at 20 key fixtures that will shape the title race in 2012-13.

Read on, and be sure to leave your top matches and predictions in the comments below.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United (September 22)

Considering the rich and varied past these two clubs have together, this game could prove to be pivotal for a number of reasons.

It comes early in the season, Gameday 5, just three weeks after Manchester City's visit to Anfield and will be Brendan Rodgers' fifth tough game in a row.

Realistically, United will be looking to match or better their title rivals' result. If they do, Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool could find them selves on the wrong end of the club's worst start to a league campaign in decades.

Manchster City vs. Arsenal (September 22)

Gameday 5 throws up two huge games that will probably end up becoming the first Seismic Sunday in the Premier League next season.

As United travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool, City will entertain Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in what will be a huge clash for both clubs.

One other reason this game is so important is that it comes just days after both clubs debut in the group stages of the Champions League. How City deal with that added pressure will determine their title credentials.

Arsenal vs. Chelsea (September 29)

One week after travelling to Etihad, the Gunners will entertain Chelsea at the Emirates.

Last season the two clubs played out a highly entertaining 5-3, where the home crowd left happy.

As a fixture, it comes at the wrong time for Roberto Di Matteo because over the following eight weeks they must play Spurs, United, City, Liverpool and the already-named Arsenal. While all of this is going on, they must also contend with the Champions League in full flow and the League Cup.

In short, the honeymoon could be well and truly over for Di Matteo by Christmas.

Manchester United vs. Arsenal (November 3)

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Will Arsenal ever live down the 8-2 mauling they received at Old Trafford last season? November 3 gives them a chance to set the story straight.

The Champions League will have a large effect on this game, as it comes three days before UCL Gameday 4. So depending upon their Champions League group place, each manager may choose to rest certain players.

However, when push comes to shove, Sir Alex Ferguson is not likely to rest players for this game. Given the result last year, will Arsene?

Chelsea vs. Arsenal (January 19)

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This game is always huge.

But this time it will be massive.

Chelsea's season should have been derailed before they face Arsenal, and the Gunners' own title bid will be dependent upon getting all three points. It is a clash that will mean everything for the two clubs involved.

Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur (April 13)

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By this stage both teams will be out of title contention, but this fixture will still have a huge impact upon the destination of the Premier League trophy.

With their eyes on finishing in the top four, and with chances getting less and less by the day, expect Chelsea and Spurs to go at it hammer and tongs and to knock seven shades of blue out of each other.

Arsenal vs. Manchester United (April 27)

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With one Manchester team having beaten a North London team the week previous, the other Manchester side heads to the same district to complete the double a week later!

Arsenal will be reeling, having had their title bid ended and their Champions League aspirations quashed for another year, while United, still in the title hunt but not the Champions League hunt, will bid to keep the pressure on their city rivals.

These two teams are always entertaining to watch, but when there is something at stake they are unmissable.